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Be innovative: Everyone can’t open a hair salon – Hon Marlon A. Penn
He was at the time delivering remarks at the Business of the Year award ceremony held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay on the Virgin Islands’ main island of Tortola on Monday February 29, 2016.
“We all know that small business is the drivers of any economy,” said the Junior Minister, who is also the Eighth District Representative.
He said the display seen from the various businesses during the competition is but a testament to the work that had been done in developing the sector through the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs and Investment Promotion.
Hon Penn also said that as the mantle was passed to him to develop small businesses by Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, he takes this mantle with vigour, energy and zeal to move the businesses of the territory forward.
He called small businesses critical to the territory’s overall growth and success.
The Junior Minister urged that persons support small businesses.
“So I expect you to buy some of Kristin’s swimwear, which means that you may have to go to the gym and get in shape,” he said jokingly, referring to one of the competitors for Business of the Year Trefle Designs by Kristin C. Frazer.
'Be innovative'
Further, Hon Penn urged that persons be innovative and not just follow the trend.
He cited the example of everyone wanting to own a truck because of someone they see being a successful truck driver or everyone rushing to open a hair salon when they may already have many in the same community.
“Someone might see a trucker and everyone wants to become a truck driver... you may see a salon, then you have 20 salons around the corner,” he said.
Honourable Penn is one of two Junior Ministers appointed by the Government to assist in driving Government's policies. The other is Honourable Archibald C. Christian, the Junior Minister for Tourism and At Large Representative.
Meanwhile, the Innovative Business of the Year and Business of the Year titles for the year 2015 were both won by Pearls VI, owned by young Virgin Islander Alexandra V. Durante.
Pearls VI received a sum of $5,000 for copping the title of Innovative Business of the Year and $12,500 for the title of Business of the Year, monies which will go towards the development of the business.
The businesses taking part in the competition, all of whom were adjudged Business of the Month at some point in 2015, were F & M Halal Outlet, Akiya Brewley Designs, Greencrete BVI, The Rock Cafe, Mi Amor Jewellers, Trefle Designs, Pearls VI, Sole Day Spa and Bella Blooms.
Trefle Designs won the People’s Choice Awards, voted by members of the audience using voting cards.
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24 Responses to “Be innovative: Everyone can’t open a hair salon – Hon Marlon A. Penn ”
Look for a new spin on an old service. Research and bring in a whole new one. For those who have a million ideas a second, find the people who are natural workhorses, and vise versa. The BVI is prime for new ideas and creative twists. What the minister said is very relevant, so lets not gripe and take take it for what it is: Good advice.
two - You are correct. Most won't consider. Those are the business that stagnate, unable to adapt and grow.
and of course those business dont complain, they price and advertise so that everybody get a piece of the bread, while keeping cost good for the customers
I understand that what i said dont make sense to you, that is ok. I'll keep my insane advice. #elevateyaself
Think about it; how many salons are operated by locals (max 7)? We need to get to the root cause of this problem.